Ambitious AKQA expands into Japan

AKQA is opening its 11th office, in Tokyo, hard on the heels of its tenth, in key client Nike’s home base of Portland. AKQA has opened four new offices so far this year.

The digital agency, which was bought by WPP for $540m earlier this year, will hit the ground running in Japan with two founder clients, Nike (obviously) and Nissan.

Rei Inamoto, AKQA CCO Rei Inamoto (left) says: “Japan is the most advanced market – it’s where the future happens. It’s been a dream of mine to open an AKQA office in Japan to inspire and be inspired.”

“As one of our key digital agency partners for more than ten years, we are delighted to welcome AKQA to Japan,” says Nike director of brand communications Tagu Kato. “Nike and AKQA share the same determined focus on innovation. We look forward to deliver ground-breaking experiences to our consumers in Japan.”

Which is all very nice and a sign that AKQA is following the traditional agency route of following its big clients around the world rather than relying on the wonders of the internet to stay in touch. AKQA founder Ajaz Ahmed has made no secret of his intention to the biggest digital agency in the world and his new pal WPP’s Sir Martin Sorrell seems to be happy to spend to help him achieve his ambition.